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Simpson delights Pearson

Hull boss Nigel Pearson praised Jay Simpson after a draw at Ipswich, with the result frustrating Paul Jewell.

Last Updated: 19/02/11 7:23pm

Hull City boss Nigel Pearson lavished praise on Jay Simpson after the striker came off the bench to snatch a point in their 1-1 draw at Ipswich, which left Paul Jewell frustrated.

The Tigers had looked to be facing defeat following Jason Scotland's goal, but Simpson, making his first appearance since January, nodded home Corry Evans' centre to extend his team's unbeaten run to eight league outings.

It marked a dramatic return to first-team action for the former Arsenal man, who has struggled to feature under Pearson following the transfer window arrivals of Matty Fryatt and Aaron Maclean.

But it was the summer signing who earned the plaudits from Pearson, as the Hull boss said: "It was a clever header for the goal, with his back to goal. He had a lot to do, to manipulate the ball like that.

"Jay's had a frustrating time. He's been out of the side and it was a good response for him.

Squad ethic

"He's had to be patient and probably feels he hasn't had a fair crack of the whip, but it illustrates that you need a squad ethic to be successful.

"If you aspire to succeed you need a group of players who are prepared to play for each other and we've certainly got that."

Ipswich boss Jewell was annoyed not to have taken all three points, with his side having looked comfortable following Scotland's 58th minute opener.

Jewell said: "We looked a bit tired in the last 15 minutes. I thought we deserved to win on the balance of play, but there's only one stat that counts and that's the goals.

"But at least we're making progress and that's the most important thing. It was as well as we've played since I've been here."

He added: "I thought we were terrific and the only thing lacking was goals. Some of the football we played in the first half especially was scintillating."